Opinion

Editorials

Northern Colorado immigrants still without homes after the flood

When more than 300 immigrants lost their trailer homes and apartments in the northern Colorado floods last month, there was heightened concern for their welfare because most don't qualify for government aid.

Nearly a month later, immigrants flooded out of their homes in Evans, Milliken and Longmont — many of whom are in the country without documents — are still in dire straits in spite of an outpouring of community help.

They are living in warehouses, churches or hotels or are crammed into the spare rooms of friends and relatives because there are so few rentals available. The flood ruined their vehicles, so they have difficulty getting to jobs. They are still struggling to replace valuable documents.

Some are also suffering racial attacks or inflated rental rates as they try to put their lives back together.

"Most who lost everything still can't get into permanent housing," said Nathan Soule, a pastor at the Family of Christ Presbyterian Church in Evans.

Soule said several immigrant families from his church have been targeted with racial slurs as they hunt for housing.

"They have given out their phone numbers as they try to rent apartments, and they get phone calls saying, 'Go back to Mexico,' " Soule said. "That's taken an additional emotional burden."

Sonia Marquez , with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, said she has received reports that some owners are asking for higher rent or for a bigger down payment when they learn that potential renters do not have documents.

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The immigrants — most of them from Mexico — are continuing to receive local help as they face these challenges.

At the Bella Romero Elementary School in Greeley, there recently was a family night that attracted about 400 immigrants seeking everything from legal help to food aid. One church group brought pets to the event so that the displaced children could relax by playing with them.

At least one employer, the JBS meatpacking plant in Greeley, has paid for hotels and delivered food to nearly 50 immigrant workers who lost homes in floods.

Attorneys from Fort Collins have come to the Al Frente de Lucha resource center in Greeley to help immigrants try to replace documents. The Immigrant Rights Coalition has continued to hold resource meetings for the displaced.

Still, there is widespread concern over the fact that there are no good housing options for entire immigrant families packed in single bedrooms.

"It's going to be even more difficult as we move into the winter months," said Priscilla Falcon, professor of Hispanic Studies at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.